Stack-former



D. M. GRAHAM.

STACK FORMER. APPLICATION FILED MAY I5. 1917. RENEWED SEPT. 7,1920.

Patented June 14, 1921.

3 SHEETSSHEET 1.

Maid/*1 I'm/ m D. 'MZGRAHAM.

STACK FORMER.

APPLICATION FILED MAYI5. 1917- RENEWEDSEPT. I. 1920. I

1,381,868, I PgtentedJune14,192 1-.

3 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

g'rvuantm Dal/M1 1. Graham n. M..GRAHAM.

STACK FORMERQ APPLICATION FILED MAY 15| 191]- RENEWE D SEER-7| 1920.

1,381,868. Patented June 14, 192 1.

3 SHEETSSHEET 3- gwuewboz UNITED STATES DAVID M. GRAHAM, 0F BOBDULAC, NORTH DAKOTA.

STACK-FORMER.

Specification of Letters Patent. P tented J line 14, 1921.

Application filed May 15, 1917, Serial No. 168,786. Renewed September 7, 1920. Serial No. 408,778.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, DAVID M. GRAHAM, a

citizen of the United States, residin at- Bordulac, in the county of Foster and tate of North Dakota, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Stack-Formers, of which the following is a specification, reference being had therein to the accompanying drawing.

The invention relates to an apparatus for the stacking and maturing of cereal grains or the like, and consists in a stack forming and depositing apparatus having the parts and combinations thereof herein set forth and claimed, the same comprising a wheel supported means for forming and depositing a stack of the unbound straws and attached grain berries, adapted to travel with a cutting apparatus having grain carrying and distributing means by which the grain, as it is cut, is delivered into the stack former.

Among the objects and advantages of the invention are the saving of time and labor in cutting and handling the grain preparatory to threshing; and better drying and curing of the grain in loose forms as distinguished from bound form; the saving of the expense incident to the binding sys tem including cost of machinery and break age or failure in operation of the same, with consequent loss of valuble time in the limited harvesting season; repairs of binding machinery; the cost of binding twine; the

loss of grain rattled out from the grain heads by such machinery and in handling the bundles after binding; the further saving of labor and time in gathering up widely scattered bundles or small shocks, and also of time with respect to the occupation of the land by widely distributed harvested grain which delays the preparation of the land for the next crop; and, in general, the substitution for all of these operations of machinery which is relatively simple and inexpensive, requiring few and simple repairs, and which is nevertheless efficient in operation, in place of the more complicated and expensive machinery heretofore in general use. In addition to these considerations is the material improvement in the grain berries, in weight, grade and value, which is of the greatest importance.

ith such objects in view, as well as other advantages which may be incident to the use of the improvement, the invention consists 1n the parts and combinations thereof hereinafter set forth and claimed, with the I understanding that the several necessary elements constituting the same may be varied in proportions and arrangement without departing from the nature and scope of the invention.

In order to make the invention more clearly understood there are shown in the accompanying drawings means for'carrying the same into practical effect, without limiting the improvements, in their useful ap plications, to the particular constructions which for the purpose of explanation, have been made the subject of illustration. In the said drawings r Figure 1 is a side view of a stack former embodying the invention.

Fig. 2 is a bottom planview of the same.

Fig. 3 is a longitudinal vertical section of the front portion of the same on line IIIIII of Fig. 2.

Fig. 4L is a front elevation of the same.

Fig. 5 is a side view on a smaller scale illustrating another arrangement of the con nections between the stack-supporting bottom and the base frame. 7

Fig. 6 is a side view partly in section of the stack-ventilating space-former.

Certain features of the invention maybe usefully employed for the handling of grain and the like irrespective of my method of stacking and maturing grain. In performing such method or process the formation of an air ventilating space in the stack is essential, as the airing of the interior of the stack and the removal of moisture therefrom, whilethe g ain berries continue to mature and improve therein, enables me to form the stack of the freshly cut grain as and while it is coming from the harvesting apparatus, without preliminary drying and removal of moisture; and the present lnvention also provides a stack-ventilating space former for use in carrying out such process.

Referring to the drawings, 1 is the base frame of the machine supported on two'or more wheels and being open at the rear end for the deposit of a formed stack. In the construction illustrated the wheel support comprises two side wheels 2 arranged near the middle of the machine so that it is nearly balanced on said wheels, the wheels being mounted on stud axles 3 secured to the frame 1. On said base frame is an upstanding frame for supporting the front, side and rear elements within which the ends by any suitable adjusting means; and

a rear end gate 12 suitably pivoted at 13 near its top to the frame 6, 7 so as to swing in vertical planes for the release and deposit of the formed stack. Before the formation of a stack the front ends of the hinged side walls are adjusted and held in an inwardly inclined position so that they are nearer together than are the rear ends, and the interior of the stack former flares rearwardly.

When said forward ends are released and moved outward and the stack is deposited the side walls become farther and-farther away from the sides of the stack as it is moved rearwardly in the former and as the machine moves forward from the stack, so

7 as to deposit the stack in as perfect form as possible and without undue friction. These matters need not be fully illustrated or further described herein, being set forth in my appication Serial No. 168,533, filed May 1 1, 191

i The base frame may be further supported by an end wheel, shown as a caster wheel 1 1 arranged under the front portion of the machine The bottom of the stack former is shown at 15 comprising side bars'16, cross bars 17, 18, a central longitudinal bar 19 and longitudinally extending rods 20, the latter being riveted to the under sides of the said cross bars and extending for the length of the stack former. The middle portion of the bottom is occupied for its length by the stack ventilating space former 21 around which the lower'portion of the stack is built up by grain resting on the rods 20. The bottom 15 is supported from the frame 1 in such manner that, when it is released with a completed stack thereon it will swing to the ground while remaining in substantially horizontal position, but as soon as the front end of the bottom has been relieved from the weight'of the stack, for instance when the bottom has been withdrawn about half way from under the stack, the front end will return irrespective of the rear end and the bottom will be upon an incline while the rods 20 are being drawn from under the front portion of the stack by the progress of the machine. The'result of said movement of the bottom is such that when it first descends substantially the whole bottom of the stack engages with the ground of stubble for its full length, and. as the maed with the stack former frame and with the bottom 15 as indicated in the drawings (Figs. 1' and a), there being a set of such springs at each side of the machine. These springs are of sufiicient strength to support the bottom when it is emptied, and to raise it from the ground after the deposit of the stack, but their tension will be overcome by the weight of the stack when the bottom is released. Various locking devices can be employed for the support of the bottom while the stack is being formed In the construction illustrated said supports consist of arms or dogs 27 arranged'at the sides of the machine and adapted to extend inward under the bars 16 and to be withdrawn therefrom. Said dogs are fixed on rock shafts 28 mounted in bearings 29 attached to the frame 1, and are actuated by links 30which are pivotally connected at their outer ends with arms 31 and at their inner ends with a hand lever 32. Said lever is pivoted at 33 tothe front of the stack former frame, is guided by a-bracket 34 and is held in adjusted position by a spring latch 35 which is 'engageable with a rack 36 or with equivalent stops on the frame memher 5 or on other suitable part of the frame.

The bottom 15 is gnided in its said movement by a front post 37 attached to the bar 19 and working in guides 38 attached to the 7 front portion of the frame 1,'and the bottom is also guided at its rear end by side posts 39 attached to the rear portions-of the bars 16 and working verticallyand longitudinally in guiding brackets 10 attached to the frame 1 and to the side bars 8'.

' When the stack has been formed and comto place by the springs 25 and the bottom will assume an inclined position, and finally the rear ends of the rods 20 will be with drawn from under the stack and the rear part of the bottom will be restored to nor- H 11 position by the action of the springs 26.

The arrangement may be such as to cause the bottom to swing rearwardly instead of' forwardly as it descends, and such construction is indicated in Fig. 5, where the links 22 extend rearwardly from their pivots on the bottom to their pivots on the frame l, and the stack-lifting springs are preferably inclined rearwardly. An advantage of this latter construction is that, assuming that the machine is advancing in a forward direction at the time when the stack is deposited, the forward momentum of the stack, due to such advance is neutralized by the rearward swinging of the bottom and the stack comes in contact with the ground with little or no forward momentum, or movement either forward or rearward.

The space former "21 may be constructed in various ways. As illustrated it comprises supporting members or boards 41 pivotally connected with the bottom 15, as by hinges 42. On the top of said members is pivotally attached, as by hinges 43 a top stack-supporting member or board 44 (Fig. 6). At the sides of the supporting members 41 are attached slats 45 which support the straw at the sides of the space former, said slats being screwed or pivoted at 46 to the sides of the members 41. It results from this arrangement that the rearward movement of the stack may be accompanied by a rearward swinging and collapse of the space former on the pivotal connections or hinges 42, 43 and 46, so as to allow the top 44 to descend as may be required and diminish any friction due to the forward movement of the machine as the stack settles upon the ground and as the bottom is withdrawn therefrom. Automatically acting means are provided for returning the former 21 to stack-receiving position when it is released from the deposited stack, the same consisting preferably of a spring 47 which connects the space former with the frame of the machine. 48 is a slat supporting member connected with the rear portions of the slats 45 and with the top 44 by pivotal connections 43 and 46.

What is claimed is:

1. A stack former for harvesting machines having in combination, a frame and supporting ground wheels, a bottom which is swingably connected with said frame near the forward end of the bottom, links forming such swingable connection and adapted to swing toward the ground, springs supporting the rear end of said bottom, and releasable means for holding said bottom in elevated stack-receiving position.

2. A stack former for harvesting machines having in combination, a frame and supporting ground wheels, a bottom which is swingably connected with said frame near the forward end of the bottom, springs supporting the rear @1161 Of said bottom, links forming such swingable connection and adapted to swing toward the ground, releasable means for holding said bottom in elevated stack-receiving position, and guides whereby the said bottom is directed in its upward and downward movement relative to said frame for the deposit of a formed stack and for returning to its elevated position. 3. A stack formerfor harvesting machines having in combination, a frame and supporting ground wheels, a bottom which is swingably connected with said frame near the forward end of the bottom, links forming such swingable connection and adapted to swing toward the ground, springs supporting the rear end of said bottom, releasable means for holding said bottom in elevated stack-receiving position, and a stackventilating space-former on said bottom.

4. A stack former for harvesting machines having in combination a frame and supporting ground wheels, a bottom which is swingably connected with said frame near the forward end of the bottom, springs supporting the rear end of said bottom, releasable means for holding said bottom in elevated stack-receiving position, and a collapsible space-former on said bottom.

5. A stack former for harvesting machines having in combination, a frame and supporting ground wheels, a bottom which is swingably connected with said frame near the forward end of the bottom, springs supporting the rear end of said bottom, releasable means for holding said bottom in elevated stack-receiving position, and a rearwardly collapsible space-former on said bottom.

6. A stack former for harvesting machines havingin combination, a bottom which is swingably connected with said frame near the forward end of the bottom, links forming such swingable connection and adapted to swing toward the ground, means for returning the front part of said bottom to elevated position, independent supporting means for the rear part of said bottom adapted to return said rear part to elevated position, means for confining and forming the lower part of the stack, means for forming a permanent ventilating space in said lower part of the stack, and means for forming the upper and major part of the stack on the top of the space-forming means and confining and shaping the sides of the said upper part of the stack.

7 A stack former for harvesting machines having in combination, a bottom having links connected with said frame near the forward end of the bottom, means for returning the front part of said bottom to elevated position, independent supporting means for the rearv part of said bottom adapted to return said rear part to elevated position, means for confining and forming tion.

the lower part of the stack, means for forming a permanent ventilating space in said lower part of the stack, and means for forming the upper and major part of the stack on the top of the space-forming means and confining and shaping the sides of the said upper part of the stack.

8. A stack former for harvesting machines having in combination, a bottom which is swingably connected with said frame near the forward end of the bottom, links forming such swingable connection and adapted to swing toward the ground, automatically acting means for returning the said bottom to elevated position, means for confining and forming the lower part of the stack, means for forming a permanent ventilating space in said lower part of the stack, and means for forming the upper and major part of the stack on the top of the spacei-orming means and confining and shaping the sides of the upper part of the stack.

9. A stack former torharvesting machines having in combination, a bottom which is swingably connected with said rame near the forward end of the bottom, links forming such swingable connection andadapted to swing toward the ground, sprlngs for returning the said bottom to elevated position, means for confining and forming the lower part of the stack, means for forming a permanent ventilating space in said lower part of the stack, and means for forming the upper and major part of the stack on the top of the space-forming means and confining and shaping the sides of the said upper part of the stack.

10. A stack former for harvesting machines having in combination, a bottom having links connected with said frame near the forward end of the bottom, springs for returning the front part of said bottom to elevated position, independent springs for the rear part of said bottom adapted to return said rear part to elevated position at a later time, means for confining and forming the lower part of the stack, means for forming a permanent ventilating space in said lower part of the stack, and means for forming the upper and major part of the stack on the top of the space-forming means and confining and shaping the sides of the said upper part of the stack. 11. A stack former for harvesting machines, having therein a longitudinallycollapsible stack-ventilating space-former.

12'. A stack former for harvesting machines, having therein a rearwardly collapsible stack ventilating space former adapted to be collapsed by the discharge of the formed stack, and means for returning said space-former to stack receiving posi- 13. A stack former for harvesting machines, havlng therein. a rearwardly collapsible and resiliently returnable stackventilating space-former.

14:. A stack former for harvesting machines, having therein a rearwardly collapsible stack-ventilating space-former adapted to be collapsed by the discharge of the formed stack, and automatically acting means for returning said space-former to stack-receiving position.

15. A stack former for harvesting machines, having therein a rearwardly collapsible stack-ventilating space-former, and automatic resilient means'for causing the reexpansion of said space former.

16. stack former for harvesting machines, having therein rearwardly collapsible stack-ventilating space-former comprising rearwardly and downwardly swingable supporting members and longitudinal straw supporting members pivotally connected with said rearwardly swingable members, and means for returningsaid space-former to stack-receiving position.

17. A stack former for harvesting machines, having therein a rearwardly collapsible stack-ventilating space-former comprisingrearwardly and downwardly swingable supporting members and longitudinal straw supporting members pivotally connected with said rearwardly swingable members, and a spring-for returning said spaceformer to stack-receiving position.

18. A stack former for harvesting machines, havingtherein a rearwardly collapsible stack-ventilating space-former comprising rearwardly and downwardly swingable supporting members and longitudinalstraw supporting members pivotally connected with said rearwardly swingable members.

19. In a stack former for harvesters, the combination of a wheeled frame, stackforming walls thereon, and a horizontal rigid bottom suspended on said frame and adapted for downward. movement as a unit for the deposit of the stack upon the ground without substantial displacement of the stack out of the forward and rearward limits of the stack former and for upward movement as a unit for its return to stackreceiving position, said bottom having means for permitting the engagement of the stack with the ground through thebottom.

20. In a stack former for harvesters, the combination of a wheeled frame, stackforming walls thereon, and a horizontal rigid bottom suspended on said frame and :dapted for downward and upward movement as a unit for the deposit of the stack upon the ground without substantial displacement ofthe stack out of the forward and rearward limits of the stack-former and for return to stack-receiving position, said bottom being constructed with longitudinal rods permitting the engagement of the stack with the ground through the bottom.

21. In a stack former for harvesters, the combination of a wheeledframe, stack-forming walls thereon, a horizontal ligid bottom suspended on said frame and adapted for downward and upward movement as a unit for the deposit of the stack upon the ground Without substantial displacement of the stack out of the forward and rearward limits of the stack former and for return to stackreceiving position, said bottom having means for permitting the engagement of the stack with the ground through the bottom, and links connecting the bottom with said frame.

22. In a stack former for harvesters, the combination of a wheeled frame, stack-forming walls thereon, a horizontal rigid bottom suspended on said frame and adapted for downward and upward movement as a unit for the deposit of the stack upon the ground without substantial displacement of the stack out of the forward and rearward limits of the stack former and for return to stack receiving position, said bottom having means for permitting the engagement of the stack with the ground through the bottom, and suspending springs connecting the bottom with said frame. 7

23. In a stack former for harvesters, the combination of a wheeled frame, stack-for ing walls thereon, a horizontal rigid bottom suspended on said frame and adapted for downward and upward movement as a unit for the deposit of the stack upon the ground without substantial displacement of the stack out of the forward and rearward limits of the stack former and for return to stack receiving position, said bottom having means for permitting the engagement of the stack with the ground through the bottom, and a stack-ventilating space-former on said bottom.

24. In a stack former for harvesters, the combination of a wheeled frame, stack-forma wheel supporting frame, stack-forming walls carried thereon, a bottom carried by said frame and movable downward to the ground and upward to stack-receiving position, and a stack ventilating space-former on said bottom and movable relative thereto.

26. A stack former for harvested grain, having one or more inwardly collapsible stack-containing and forming walls, and automatic means for causing the expansion of the former to normal grain-receiving condition after the deposit of a stack.

27. A stack former for harvested grain having in combination, a frame having u wardly extending containing and stac forming walls and supporting ground wheels, a bottom for said former which is upwardly and downwardly movable, and means connecting said bottom and frame and causing the bottom to travel with the frame and allowingthe bottom to have vertical movement.

In testimony whereof, I afiX my signature, in presence of two witnesses.

DAVID M. GRAHAM.

W'itnesses H. N. LAW, N. OURTIs LAMMOND. 

